Writing Fireworks

Does your writing contain fireworks? Not literal fireworks, but does the text dazzle the reader and elicit oohs and aahs?

Adding fireworks to your writing takes hard work and dedication. But you also have to know the craft.

If you want your writing to explode in readers’ minds and hearts, you must understand what works—and what doesn’t. So where do you start?

Good writers start as good readers. Listen to the counsel of three authors who managed to make a living at it.

·         “If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read and lot and write a lot.” Stephen King

·         “If you read good books, good books will come out of you.” Natalie Goldberg

·         “First we eat, then we beget; first we read, then we write.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

Start by reading timeless literature and books in your genre. If you don’t know which books qualify, ask your librarian for help.

The library is also a good place to start when looking for books on writing, but so is this blog. Stay tuned for next week’s post, which will suggest a few classic writing books.